"A heavy, radioactive, manmade metallic element with atomic number 94. Its most important isotope is fissile plutonium-239, which is produced by neutron irradiation of uranium-238. It exists in only trace amounts in nature." [NRC Glossary]

Sources/Uses

Used to generate heat and electricity; Used in pacemaker batteries; (Pu-238); Used as a fuel for nuclear reactors and bombs (Pu-239); [Merck Index # 7541] In 1948-1958, the Mayak Production Association produced plutonium nuclear weapons in the Soviet Union. About 21,500 workers were exposed to radiation with the highest dose >1000 rad and the average dose about 80 rad. A study found 16 osteosarcomas, 8 chondrosarcomas, and 9 soft tissue sarcomas. Most of these cancers occurred 20 or more years after first exposure. "The plutonium exposures received by the Mayak workers were enormous and much larger than experienced anywhere else in the world. Other studies of workers exposed to substantially lower plutonium doses have found no excess bone cancers." [Schottenfeld, p. 950]

Agent Name

Plutonium

CAS Number

7440-07-5

Formula

Pu

Major Category

Physical/Radiation

Synonyms

Plutonium and compounds;

Category

Radionuclides

Description

"A heavy, radioactive, manmade metallic element with atomic number 94. Its most important isotope is fissile plutonium-239, which is produced by neutron irradiation of uranium-238. It exists in only trace amounts in nature." [NRC Glossary]

Sources/Uses

Used to generate heat and electricity; Used in pacemaker batteries; (Pu-238); Used as a fuel for nuclear reactors and bombs (Pu-239); [Merck Index # 7541] In 1948-1958, the Mayak Production Association produced plutonium nuclear weapons in the Soviet Union. About 21,500 workers were exposed to radiation with the highest dose >1000 rad and the average dose about 80 rad. A study found 16 osteosarcomas, 8 chondrosarcomas, and 9 soft tissue sarcomas. Most of these cancers occurred 20 or more years after first exposure. "The plutonium exposures received by the Mayak workers were enormous and much larger than experienced anywhere else in the world. Other studies of workers exposed to substantially lower plutonium doses have found no excess bone cancers." [Schottenfeld, p. 950]